Identification & Site Information

• Name: JOHN M. HUTCHINSON
• Former Names: None
• Official Number: 75597
• Type at Loss: Schooner-barge, wood-hulled, 3-mast
• Date Built and Launched: 1873
• Builder: Quayle & Martin, Cleveland, Ohio (originally constructed as a Schooner)
• Measurements: 229 ft (69.8 m) length, 37 ft (11.3 m) beam, 14 ft (4.3 m) depth; 981 gross tons, 932 net tons
• Date Lost: August 17, 1905
• Place of Loss: Off 14-Mile Point, east of Ontonagon, Lake Superior

Vessel Type

Wooden Three-Masted Schooner-Barge

Description

The John M. Hutchinson Was a wooden three-masted schooner-barge built in 1873 by Quayle & Martin in Cleveland, Ohio. Originally constructed as a Schooner, she was later converted into a Barge, reflecting the common practice of extending the operational life of aging sailing vessels by adapting them for use in steam-powered tows. At 229 feet in length, she was considered a large vessel for her time and was initially celebrated as a “wonder of the lakes” for her impressive size and capacity. The vessel was built for Captain Frank Perew at a cost of $80,000, a significant sum in the 1870s, indicating her importance and advanced design.

History

The JOHN M. HUTCHINSON spent her career hauling bulk freight, particularly iron ore, which was vital to the burgeoning steel industry in the Midwest. As part of the Corrigan Fleet of Cleveland, she played a role in the movement of raw materials from Lake Superior mining regions to industrial centers further south.

On August 17, 1905, while being towed by the Steamer CALEDONIA, the JOHN M. HUTCHINSON encountered heavy weather off 14-Mile Point, east of Ontonagon, Michigan. During the storm, her Hull opened at the seams, a failure likely exacerbated by the stress of her iron ore cargo and possibly the vessel’s age. The vessel sank in deep water, but fortunately, the entire crew was rescued by the CALEDONIA.

Following the sinking, crew members claimed the vessel had been overloaded, which may have contributed to her structural failure. Overloading was a common issue during this period, as shipping companies pushed vessels to their limits to maximize profits. The combination of aging wooden hulls, heavy iron ore cargoes, and rough Lake Superior conditions created a recipe for disaster, and the JOHN M. HUTCHINSON became one of many victims of these challenges.

Final Disposition

Sank due to Hull failure in heavy weather off 14-Mile Point, Lake Superior, on August 17, 1905. The vessel went down in deep water, but no lives were lost as the crew was rescued by the Steamer CALEDONIA.

Located By & Date Found

Nil—there are no confirmed reports of the JOHN M. HUTCHINSON wreck being located.

NOTMARs & Advisories

Nil—no current navigational advisories related to the JOHN M. HUTCHINSON wreck site off 14-Mile Point, Lake Superior.

Resources & Links

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes
• Great Lakes Ships Database
• David Swayze Shipwreck File
• Lake Superior Maritime Visitor Center

Conclusion

The JOHN M. HUTCHINSON represents both the engineering achievements and perils of Great Lakes shipping during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Once heralded as a “wonder of the lakes”, her size and capacity were remarkable for the time. However, the demands of iron ore transport and the harsh conditions of Lake Superior proved too much for the aging wooden Hull. Her sinking in 1905 highlights the dangers faced by Schooner-barges, particularly as overloading and Hull fatigue became critical issues in the increasingly industrialized shipping industry. While her wreck has not been located, the JOHN M. HUTCHINSON remains a poignant example of the challenges faced by the maritime community on Lake Superior.

Keywords, Categories, and Glossary Terms

• Keywords: JOHN M. HUTCHINSON Schooner-Barge shipwreck, 14-Mile Point shipwreck, Lake Superior iron ore Barge, Quayle & Martin Cleveland shipbuilders, Corrigan Fleet Cleveland, CALEDONIA steamer rescue
• Categories: Lake Superior Shipwrecks, Wooden Schooner-Barges, Iron Ore Freighter Losses, Hull Failure Shipwrecks, Late 19th Century Maritime Disasters
• Glossary Terms:
• Hull Failure: A structural collapse of a ship’s Hull, often due to stress from cargo, age-related deterioration, or external forces like rough weather.
• Schooner-Barge: A sailing vessel converted to a Barge, typically towed by steamships but retaining some of its original rigging for auxiliary power.
• 14-Mile Point: A prominent point on Lake Superior near Ontonagon, Michigan, known for its treacherous waters and history of shipwrecks.